World War II




WWII Commander Alexander of Tunis ALS Mentioning Eisenhower, Bradley, & Mediterranean Campaign, along with Signed Karsh Photo

Small archive relating to celebrated World War II commander Harold Alexander, 1st Earl Alexander of Tunis (1891-1969). Including two ALSs and an original Yousuf Karsh silver gelatin print photograph. The lot features a total of three signatures by Alexander of Tunis, two as "Alexander" and one as "Alexander of Tunis A.M." From the collection of noted American collector Jerry Granat.  

The two ALSs are both inscribed on pale green stationery with "Winkfield Lodge / Windsor Forest / Berkshire / 03-447-2240" letterhead. The first 2pp ALS dated March 13, 1969 and the 1p ALS dated May 11, 1969 have expected light paper folds and a few extra wrinkles. Both with minor tape residue at top. 6.25" x 8".  

The limited edition silver gelatin print photograph was taken of then Canadian viceroy Alexander of Tunis in 1952 to commemorate his most recent honorary title. The studio portrait shows the well-groomed commander seated casually in a chair. Signed by the sitter at lower right, and pencil signed by the photographer, Armenian-Canadian photographer Yousuf Karsh at lower left. Also stamped "Copyright Karsh Ottawa" and pencil-inscribed No. 50 verso. A few light surface scratches to matt surface. Minor tape residue verso, else near fine. Overall 9.5" x 12".  

On March 13, 1969, Alexander of Tunis wrote Jerry Granat:  

"Dear Mr. Granat.   Thank you for your letter of March 6th. -. As a British soldier and an ally of your country it is gratifying to know that a British General has achieved 'Stardom' in the U.S.A.'s eyes -- especially as that person is an old friend and colleague of mine - for whom I have a great admiration as a fighting soldier, and I think he deserves the merit he has won in the eyes of your countrymen -  

Looking back on the war years, I shall always be proud of the fact that I had under my command U.S. soldiers who played such an outstanding role in our victories during the Mediterranean campaign -  

Furthermore, I am so appreciative of the flattering things that General Eisenhower and General Bradley recorded in their war memoirs about myself.  

Yours sincerely,  

Alexander."  

It's not known which of Alexander of Tunis's fellow British generals is being referred to as having attained celebrity in American circles; perhaps it was Bernard Montgomery or Louis Mountbatten. Alexander of Tunis gratefully acknowledged his own favorable coverage in American military memoirs. Alexander was lauded in General Dwight D. Eisenhower's 1948 account Crusade in Europe, and he was also praised in General Omar Bradley's ghostwritten autobiography A Soldier's Story, published in 1951. In the letter, Alexander of Tunis waxed about British-American cooperation during the late war in a way that shows he had not lost the adept communication skills or soft diplomatic touch that had so often marked his wartime leadership.  

Alexander of Tunis's second briefer letter assured his American correspondent that he would see him in September 1969. Sadly, this was never to be; Alexander of Tunis died during a medical procedure to repair a perforated aorta on June 16, 1969.  

Harold Alexander, 1st Earl Alexander of Tunis was a distinguished British military officer and later 17th Governor General of Canada (1946-1952). He served courageously in major World War I campaigns such as Loos, Somme, 1st and 3rd Ypres, and Cambrai. Alexander of Tunis is perhaps best remembered for his miraculous evacuation of bottle-necked British forces at Dunkirk, as well as his leadership in Eastern European, Asian, Mediterranean, and North African World War II campaigns. He collaborated closely with American brass during the invasion of Sicily and mainland Italy. He retired from the armed service to govern Canada after the war, proving to be a popular leader and an able administrator.  

Yousuf Karsh (1908-2002) fled the Armenian genocide and immigrated to Canada in the early twentieth century to became one of the best celebrity portrait photographers of his day. His subjects included royalty, religious leaders, military, authors, and entertainment notables. At the time of Alexander of Tunis's portrait, Karsh was already an established photographer; his 1941 portrait of British Prime Minister Winston Churchill had secured his fame a decade earlier.  



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